Look, the vibes around the LA Lakers schedule 24-25 shifted the second JJ Redick took the podium. It wasn't just another coaching change; it felt like a weird science experiment. We’re currently sitting in January 2026, and looking back at how this schedule unfolded—and what's left on the docket—it’s been a total fever dream.
Remember the preseason? People were losing their minds over Dalton Knecht and Quincy Olivari. Then the actual season hit, and the reality of the Western Conference grind set in. The Lakers didn't just play basketball; they survived a gauntlet that included a massive January trade and some of the weirdest scheduling luck I've seen in a decade.
The Gauntlet of the Early Season
The Lakers started the 2024-25 campaign with a statement win against Minnesota. 110-103. Anthony Davis looked like an MVP candidate, dropping 36. But the schedule makers weren't kind. By the time November rolled around, the "JJ Redick honeymoon" was being tested by a brutal road trip through Detroit and Memphis.
Honestly, the LA Lakers schedule 24-25 was top-heavy. You had the Emirates NBA Cup (the old In-Season Tournament) taking up massive mental energy in November. The Lakers actually went on a six-game winning streak that month, including that wild 124-118 win over Utah where Knecht went nuclear for 37 points. That was the peak of the "Old Lakers" roster before everything got flipped on its head.
The January Pivot
January is always where seasons go to die or get reborn. For the Lakers, it was literal fire. The Southern California wildfires actually postponed two games (the Charlotte and San Antonio matchups originally set for Jan 9 and 11). It threw the rhythm off completely. Coach Redick even lost his home in the Palisades Fire, which is just a heartbreaking bit of reality that hits harder than any box score.
Then the trade happened. February 2, 2025.
"The Lakers were involved in a blockbuster three-team trade... acquiring superstar Luka Dončić... while trading Anthony Davis."
It’s still hard to type that. Watching the Lakers’ schedule after that trade felt like watching a different sport. The defense took a massive hit without AD, but the offensive flow with Luka and LeBron (when Bron was actually healthy enough to go) was video-game stuff.
Key Matchups Left in the 2024-25 Stretch
We are heading into the final turn. If you're looking at the remaining LA Lakers schedule 24-25, you need to circle March. It’s disgusting. Between March 8 and March 20, they have a road trip that basically decides if they’re a top-four seed or a play-in casualty.
- March 8 at Boston: This is the big one. Rivalry week was one thing, but a late-season game in the Garden? With Luka in a Lakers jersey? The ticket prices are already through the roof.
- March 13 at Milwaukee: A massive test for the "new look" interior defense. Can they stop Giannis without AD? Probably not, but they'll try to outscore him.
- March 14 at Denver: The second half of a back-to-back. This is where the schedule makers were just being mean. Denver has been the Lakers' kryptonite for years.
- April 6 & 8 at Oklahoma City: A rare baseball-style set against the Thunder. OKC is young, fast, and loves to run the Lakers' older legs into the ground.
Navigating the Back-to-Backs
The Lakers have 14 back-to-back sets this season. That’s a lot of ice baths. For a team led by a 40-year-old LeBron James and a high-usage Luka, these are the "trap" games. You've got to watch the injury reports like a hawk.
Right now, as of mid-January, Austin Reaves is dealing with a Grade 2 calf strain. He’s out. No timeline. LeBron is managing foot arthritis and sciatica—which sounds like stuff my grandpa talks about, but he’s still putting up 25 a night. Rui Hachimura has a lingering calf strain too. Basically, the training staff is the most important part of the roster right now.
Why the March Schedule Matters
Most people assume the Lakers will just "coast" into the playoffs. They can't. The Western Conference is a bloodbath. Houston is surprisingly good (52 wins projected), and OKC is playing like they’re on a mission. The Lakers’ win over Miami on January 15 (117-108) was a nice cushion, but losing to Sacramento on the 12th showed how fragile they are.
How to Follow the Rest of the Way
If you’re trying to catch these games, most of the big ones are on TNT or ABC. The Warriors game on April 3 is going to be a national TV circus.
Check the local listings for SportsNet LA if you’re in the Southern California area, but honestly, with the way the schedule moved due to the fires, you've got to double-check the NBA app every Tuesday.
Actionable Insights for Lakers Fans:
- Watch the "3-and-D" Trade Market: The Lakers are still reportedly looking to package Gabe Vincent and Jarred Vanderbilt. If they don't get a wing defender by the February 6 deadline, that March schedule will be a nightmare.
- Monitor the Seedings: The Lakers are currently 3rd in the West, but only two games separate them from the 6th seed. Every divisional game (like the Clippers matchups in late February/early March) is worth double.
- Rest vs. Rhythm: Keep an eye on the second night of back-to-backs. If Luka or LeBron sit, the Lakers' offensive rating drops by nearly 12 points.
The 2024-25 season has been a rollercoaster. From the tragedy of the wildfires to the shock of the AD-for-Luka trade, this isn't the team we expected in October. But they’re winning. They clinched the Pacific Division for the first time since 2020. Now, they just have to survive the final two months of the most chaotic schedule in franchise history.
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Stay tuned to the injury reports. The Lakers are 22-17 right now and climbing, but in the West, one bad week in March and you're fighting for your life in the play-in.